jas
Junior Member
Posts: 12
|
Post by jas on Jan 7, 2024 23:09:43 GMT
I can't see them leaving London/going to another location until they've made a healthy profit. I don't know why Singapore gets mentioned. It's not like they have a lot of fans there or in wider SE Asia. If you are going to have it the other side of the world, then Australia. I am not sure they have the fanbase for a prolonged production. But don't discount Las Vegas Good point. The article i read seemed to favour Singapore over Melbourne, and the only thing i could think of is that its quite a transient country, lots of people use the city as a layover so perhaps more people would be prone to staying a bit longer to come see it. Dont get me wrong i really hope Melbourne gets it, but we are so far away... Fingers crossed. If it does come here, i`m going monthly lol The one reason i would rule Vegas out is that Kiss are going to be doing the same thing there, maybe having Voyage as well, might be overkill? Just a thought. |
|
|
|
Post by Alan on Feb 1, 2024 22:02:04 GMT
I saw Voyage for the second time last Sunday. My first time was in May 2022 and I had forgotten some of it.
This time, we were standing. I would have been happy with being seated but my partner insisted on a different experience. And I’m pleased to say, he was right! We were stood right at the front so it was almost possible to forget there was much of an audience there. It felt like the show was being performed just for us! We were stood just to the right of the centre of the stage, so Benny was directly in front of us most of the time.
Seeing it at close range was amazing. It really did feel like they were really there. It was hard to believe it was a flat screen. The first time, it flew. This time it didn’t, though I would say that it seemed like they were in their first set of costumes for longer than any of the others. I had wondered if it might be too close but thankfully they’re “stood” well back from the front of the stage.
Stood right at the front meant that three tracks - Waterloo and two others - were more difficult to see as the images were projected onto the curtain which was too close to us. Waterloo was no loss as I had seen the footage so many times. For the other two tracks, the ABBATars were still there and my eyes were focussed on them, but I’d rather the (see-through) curtain not have been there. Minor quibbles though.
I’d still say that this wasn’t like seeing the real thing. Agnetha moved far too well in this that I couldn’t pretend it was her back in the day. Also, I would still argue that it’s a close approximation of them but not exact. Glassy-eyed in places and likenesses better at some points (it seemed to vary by costume) than others. I’d say Björn is the least life-like and perhaps Benny the best, with Frida a close second. As I say though, it does vary by costume. Both Agnetha and Björn looked better at some points than they did others.
Was Eagle the 1979 live version? It sounded a bit like it. I’m still not really too fussed with the cartoon segments or the band performance. Sorry, but that’s not what I came to see. Highlights for me were The Visitors, Hole in Your Soul, When All is Said and Done and possibly Lay All Your Love On Me, though I do wish they hadn’t removed the last verse of that.
I was impressed with the “outdoor” shop. That wasn’t there the first time. And the indoor one was an improvement on how it was before.
All in all, I was blown away by it. Much better than the first time - I enjoyed it then but not as much as I’d expected, which is probably why it’s taken 20 months to go back!
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Feb 1, 2024 22:16:57 GMT
Good to see you enjoyed it albeit with reservations.
Like you Alan I wasn't too fussed with the two cartoons or two screen, or curtain as yiu say infront of the 'stage'. I think it was just Waterloo and TYFTM for that.
|
|
|
|
Post by Alan on Feb 1, 2024 23:13:39 GMT
I was thinking there were two songs behind the curtain, johnny? But if so, I can’t think for the life of me what the other one was. I was slightly envious of anyone stood at the two gaps in the curtains! It just seemed a bit unnecessary. If the ABBATars are there, why have them slightly less visible? Also I still struggle a bit with seeing 1977-ish Agnetha performing The Winner Takes It All. It has to be consistent, I suppose, same haircuts all the way through, but that particular one does jar with me. With other 1980 or later songs (LAYLOM, The Visitors, When All Is Said and Done) it’s not so much of a problem. The video for The Winner Takes It All is so iconic (in that it was a rather drastic change of appearance for Agnetha) that it looks a bit wrong to see it any other way. |
|
|
|
Post by Michel on Feb 2, 2024 6:20:51 GMT
If I remember correctly Don't Shut Me Down was also performed behind the screen/curtain.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Feb 2, 2024 12:38:07 GMT
That's not how I remember it.
How were the 2 Voyage songs received in everyone's experience? I thought somewhat muted, especially DSMD which was a very dull performance and less than impressive set backdrop.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michal on Feb 2, 2024 13:15:19 GMT
Don't Shut Me Down was definitely behind the curtain. I can clearly remember that during my first visit (which was the VIP opening) I was seriously worried that something went wrong, because the curtain blurred the Avatars and it looked like a broken TV-set from our viewing angle. The following night it was the same but by then I realized it was the curtain that made the undesirable effect. They must have fixed it in the meantime, as the "broken-TV" effect was not there on the 1st anniversary performance.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michal on Feb 2, 2024 13:28:36 GMT
Agnetha moved far too well in this that I couldn’t pretend it was her back in the day. Actually that's one of the aspects of Voyage I really love. For me Agnetha finally overcame her stage fright and the stiffness of her heavily rehearsed movements is gone! This is how I always wanted to see her. I'm really not sure up to this day if she was only shy or she just wasn't a natural dancer. However, if it was a complete lack of talent for dancing in the first place, she wouldn't have been able to learn the dance routines at all, I believe. So in Voyage she finally lets loose! I agree that Björn is the least realistically looking of the four. |
|
|
|
Post by iiwftn on Apr 10, 2024 7:52:36 GMT
So I attended ABBA Voyage on Sunday 7th April and here are my thoughts:
I have to admit that in the build up to my trip down to London I was slightly skeptical of what I was going to witness. I had always been a little snobby and dismissive of the ‘mass-marketing’ of ABBA be it Mamma Mia films/restaurants and virtual concert experiences. Hell, I even find ABBA ‘Gold’ a little problematic.
But there I was, disembarking Pudding Mill Lane on a beautiful, sunny spring evening for the 6pm showing. It was time.
The arena itself is excellent; spacious, welcoming and buzzing with excitement, groups of ladies in 1979 v-shaped costumes, the usual feather boas and glittering cowboy hats and plenty of middle-aged blokes. I was with my family and some friends. We were close to the start but we had just enough time to get a drink at the bar to take in with us and down the corridor we went.
Entering the arena, I was struck by the sheer scale of the place. It is much bigger than I had seen in clips and the size of the screen is absolutely incredible. Another surprise was how packed the place was. Don’t get me wrong, I expected a sell-out crowd. But I thought our ‘dance floor’ tickets would’ve allowed for a few gaps around the edges. But every possible space seemed to be taken; not packed in like sardines, but busy, full and atmospheric. We found our space, I had my wine, now it was time for the show to begin.
For me to truly enjoy Voyage, I had to concede a little bit of myself. If you see my ABBA Top 40 list you’ll note that my favourite songs tend to be tracks long forgotten and hidden away in amongst the albums. I knew that I wasn’t getting ‘Me and Bobby and Bobby’s Brother’ at this show. This was going to be ABBA Gold with a few extras thrown in.
But ultimately, they had me at ‘Hello’. It was an incredible, joyful, funny, euphoric and an emotional experience. I would give the show 9.5/10. The production is sensational. The live band: flawless. The set list flowed seamlessly and the concert lasted long enough enough to justify the entry fee but short enough leaving you yearning for more. My family and friends and I had an absolute blast and we danced, bounced and sang our way through the 90 min gig (although I was the only one who knew the words to ‘I Still Have Faith in You’).
For the casual fan, it must’ve been a very enjoyable night out before hoping back on the DLR. But what about us: the obsessive, discerning fan? What does Voyage mean to those us who would swap it all for the sight of the real band members to come on stage and run though a quick version of Tivedshambo with Benny on accordion? Well having experienced Voyage it kind of makes sense now…
Voyage not only confirms ABBA’s status as legends, but it continues it. Voyage will welcome 3,000 new and returning spectators next Sunday, the Sunday after that and the Sunday after that. Every Tube station in London from Angel to Elephant & Castle has ABBA Voyage posters. Huge digital screens in train stations from Birmingham to Manchester to Edinburgh advertises slick, futuristic images of Agnetha, Benny, Bjorn and Frida. ABBA is massive. ABBA is current. They are legends and the music lives on through the show.
As I said at the start, one has to concede a little of one’s self in order to ‘accept’ Voyage. It’s not really them on stage. But it’s their incredible, timeless music, their beautiful image, and importantly: their input and their permission. ‘Elvis Voyage’ wouldn’t quite have that same level of consent.
And because ABBA have given their music, their image and their consent to Voyage, we know that although it’s not actually them there, it is still brought to us BY them. And for that reason, I was satisfied and grateful to be a part of it.
|
|
|
|
Post by breifne on Apr 10, 2024 9:18:08 GMT
Thank you iiwftn - I travelled from Dublin to see ABBA Voyage on 25/11/2023 - your eloquent description of the concert was very similar to my experience too - but I could not put it as well as you have - thanks !!
|
|
|
|
Post by HOMETIME on Apr 10, 2024 10:24:10 GMT
Superb review, iiwftn ! Did you have a favourite moment? (And/or a least fave?) |
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Apr 10, 2024 13:45:31 GMT
^ I agree with Hometime, it would be nice to give specifics.
|
|
|
|
Post by iiwftn on Apr 11, 2024 12:47:53 GMT
Thanks for your kind feedback.
I genuinely just loved every minute of it, although I suppose if they wanted a half time break they could’ve maybe played a better visual of ‘Eagle’ (such as the ‘elevator’ clip from The Movie).
I’d have swapped WAISAD for Super Trouper but who can deny a rare victory for ‘More ABBA Gold’ over ‘ABBA Gold’!
No ‘Angeleyes’ either which was a shame. History continues to be unkind to that classic song.
Highlights were:
Walking down the steps at Pudding Mill Lane and seeing the venue with a beautiful warm, sunny sky. An “Oh wow, this is actually happening”-moment.
Walking into the arena and seeing the sheer scale of the place plus being with 2,999 other people who were as excited as I was (probably 😃).
The Visitors: not normally one of my absolute favourite ABBA songs but perfect to build tension and kick off the concert.
Hole in Your Soul: yes, the right type of ‘banger’ to up the tempo.
Knowing Me Knowing You: one of the great early singalongs of the gig and of course: one of the greatest songs of all time.
Lay All Your Love on Me: a song I don’t like very much, but it was visually stunning with the avatars in their futuristic costumes and cool angles of them performing. Benny looking like some sort of Nordic God!
I Still Have Faith in You: I just found very, very emotional (I’m such a big softy).
The final four songs: one big singalong/crowd going nuts.
I don’t know about other gigs but this crowd were bang up for it!
There was also a funny moment before the concert when a bunch of fancy-dressed women stormed the men’s toilets because their queue was too long! 😃 No one cared and when you gotta go, you gotta go.
|
|
|
|
Post by voyage2 on Apr 30, 2024 7:59:03 GMT
Dave Gilmour has given an interview regarding the Voyage show, see below copied from the interview. Is it me, or is he missing the point??!
However, when it came to ABBA Voyage, he had mixed feelings about the concept. “I thought the images of them were sort of OK, but they weren’t ever going to convince me it was real,” he told Uncut. “If you’re down the sort of mosh pit end of the thing and it’s all going on, it’s probably great. The best moment for me was when the live band played a song on their own.”
But he also says he would consider it for Pink Floyd??!! “If someone came up with all the money and all the brilliant ideas – and then once we’ve agreed to a series of very, very difficult and onerous conditions – I’d say, ‘Yeah, OK.’”
Isn't he kind of contradicting himself?!
|
|
|
|
Post by bjorenny on Apr 30, 2024 8:54:36 GMT
Speaking of artists who contradict themselves, I seem to remember Bob Geldof as someone who quite publicly hated everything to do with ABBA, yet there he was at ABBA Voyage - not on a random evening and incognito, but on the 1st anniversary when there was more press attention.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Apr 30, 2024 10:48:05 GMT
Gobby Geldof never misses a chance to jump on a bandwaggon.
The Telegraph music journalist used always hate ABBA but seems to appreciate them now. He even gave the Voyage show 4 stars in his review.
I think a lot of people didn't really hate the music but the perception of ABBA not being "cool" or them not mouthing off about political or social issues.
On the opening night some dodgy people including Alistair Campbell on the Left and Dan Wooton on the Right and that awful Matt Lucas.
|
|
|
|
Post by voyage2 on Apr 30, 2024 12:22:15 GMT
'Gobby Geldof' lol!! Give me Midge Ure any day!!
I like the fact that ABBA didn't get into political issues in their songs - I listen to music to be entertained and to switch off from that kind of thing!
Mr Gilmour is of course entitled to his opinion, but to me it seems a bit blinkered. Not sure what he was expecting really?
Any thoughts on the 2nd anniversary and who might turn up, ABBA or otherwise!?
|
|
jon
Bronze Member
Posts: 28
|
Post by jon on May 5, 2024 15:34:13 GMT
I went to Voyage Concert for 4th Time last night, well it is spectacular and as good as when i saw it first time round, some observations from last night;
* Noticed during Hole in your Soul the band were shown on big screens along with abbatars, can't remember seeing this previously.
* There seems to be an acoustic part during Fernando where you don't hear the band then it kicks in fully on next verse.
* Voulez Vous was a crowd pleaser even as a video, people were on their feet to this.
* DSMD and ISHFIY didn't think were as well received with audience as before.
Was a great crowd for a Saturday night and sat stage left close to where i was last year.
|
|
|
|
Post by HOMETIME on May 5, 2024 16:47:44 GMT
[...] * DSMD and ISHFIY didn't think were as well received with audience as before. [...] A big part of the problem may be that the bulk of the songs have been radio staples for 40-odd years. The two newies don't have the advantage of having seeped into the collective consciousness. Neither one seems to appear on radio that often, sadly. |
|
jon
Bronze Member
Posts: 28
|
Post by jon on May 5, 2024 18:42:58 GMT
[...] * DSMD and ISHFIY didn't think were as well received with audience as before. [...] A big part of the problem may be that the bulk of the songs have been radio staples for 40-odd years. The two newies don't have the advantage of having seeped into the collective consciousness. Neither one seems to appear on radio that often, sadly. Yes very true, remember R2 played them a lot at first but now would imagine they wouldn't necessarily appear on many radio playlists. |
|
|
|
Post by johnny on May 5, 2024 20:01:50 GMT
Certainly a lack of Airplay for the "new" songs - but were fans and ABBA expecting too much?
Look at artists who have been around for decades eg Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Madonna. People prefer their stuff from their heyday not more recent stuff. Sure, a 40 year gap between new albums for ABBA but fans - casual certainly, and hardcore prefer ABBA at their original phase. Were these songs ever going to be as beloved as DQ, KMKY, SOS et al?
|
|
|
|
Post by HOMETIME on May 6, 2024 9:18:33 GMT
True.
A conscious decision was made to mix beloved classics with deep cuts and new material. It creates an ebb and flow, some variation. A setlist made entirely of Gold + Summer Night City might have been a bit too obvious, and maybe we'd have seen it as a bit too cynical. The deeper cuts were a nod to the diehard fans, I think. The new songs were probably as much about satisfying ABBA as they were intended to reignite interest beyond mere nostalgia. Speaking personally, it was the deep cuts that did it for me on the night. I liked how they were presented, I liked that they were respected by the live band and a sizeable chunk of the audience. Sure, the pink boa'd hen party types might have been impatient for Dancing Queen and Mamma Mia, but I think the setlist recognizes a broader demographic. In a way, the lesser-known stuff might act as some kind of marketing for the studio albums. I can't help wondering how much the show is responsible for elevating the profiles of songs like The Visitors and Eagle. They seem to be getting a bit more attention in documentaries than before.
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Jun 3, 2024 23:13:35 GMT
Just gone Midnight and have been back home about half an hour from my second visit to ABBA Voyage.
My overall reflections haven't really changed from my 1st review - the opening post in this thread.
The show works well for 15 or 16 songs. The Cartoons don't work - neither do the screen over screen in Don't Shut Me Down or When All is Said and Done. It's the same for Thank You for 5he Music and Waterloo, the latter not even ABBAtars but those two songs better received.
I picked up details I never noticed before such as costumes and during Chiquitia a guy from the Arena is going around the floor, encouraging people to wave their arms for the chorus. The performance of that song quite unremarkable.
I liked Fernando more this time round. The song and introduction by Frida quite moving.
Lay All Your Love On Me was probably my favourite performance. ABBA never looked so cool or energetic - and Bjorn and Benny were made to look better looking than they ever were. The few seconds sequence into Summer Night City was very memorable.
Other favourites included The Visotors, Knowing Me, Knowing You, SOS, Mamma Mia I Still Have Faith in You - and surprisingly for me The Winner Takes it All.
I noticed this time round more people standing up dancing in the seated areas. Nobody was standing up in front of me but it is selfish behaviour.
Overall, enjoyed it. But there could be improvements.
|
|
|
|
Post by gary on Jun 4, 2024 6:32:13 GMT
Well, that explains the reaction to Chiquitita. I wonder why they feel the need to do that?
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Jun 4, 2024 7:35:54 GMT
It sure does. Several of us here have said we were surprised by the reaction to Chiquitita. Now we know!
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Jun 4, 2024 7:46:51 GMT
Here's my individual ratings second time round
The Visitors ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hole in Your Soul ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
SOS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Knowing Me Knowing You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chiquitita ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Fernando ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Mamma Mia ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Does Your Mother Know ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Eagle ⭐️⭐️1/2
LAYLOM ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Summer Night City ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gimme Gimme Gimme ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Voulez Vous ⭐️⭐️1/2
When All is Said and Done ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Don't Shut Me Down ⭐️⭐️1/2
I Still Have Faith in You ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Waterloo ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thankyou for the Music ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dancing Queen ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Winner Takes it All ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
UP
Hole in Your Soul
Fernando
Eagle and Voulez Vous (though still don't like the cartoons)
Down
Chiquitita (now I know the reaction was engineered - and realisation actual performance was very dull. Big drop)
Don't Shut Me Down (Triple whammy - too theatrical, with poppy chorus a bit flat, use of screen/curtain, performance of ABBAtars)
The rest same ratings as before.
Of the Deep Cuts, not so good Eagle, When All is Said and Done or Don't Shut Me Down. But works brilluantly on opening tracks The Visitors and Hole in Your Soul - and I Still Have Faith in You. A mixed bag for the lesser known songs.
Overall Averages
1st time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.1 out of 5
2nd time ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.1 out of 5
I
|
|
|
|
Post by voyage2 on Jun 4, 2024 9:15:18 GMT
Was it "half past twelve" Johnny!!
|
|
|
|
Post by johnny on Jun 4, 2024 9:18:03 GMT
Yes, and I was in my flat all alone!
But not saying to myself "Gimme Gimme Gimme a man after midnight 🤣
|
|
|
|
Post by voyage2 on Jun 4, 2024 9:32:34 GMT
Very good!! (in Swedish accent)!! 🤣
|
|
|
|
Post by HOMETIME on Jun 4, 2024 9:57:10 GMT
Interesting what you can spot when you're not hyper focused on a brand new experience. Really surprised by the Chiquitita set-up. One thing about the DSMD staging: it felt (to me, anyway) like it was designed to look like a 1970s TV broadcast, with the group on set/stage and the close-ups on the outer screen looking like camera crossfades. I think the other thing working against DSMD is the missing string arrangement. It's pretty jaunty, and adds a fair amount of fizz and bounce to the recorded version. Taking that kind of feature away might dial some of the energy down - especially as the verses are reasonably long and wordy. I wonder if the same thing might happen with IIWFTN. I only mention it because I want it in the set but, primarily because Benny says the band wants to include it (which suggests the matter is being given at least some level of consideration). The vocal energy is different on this track, but the string arrangement is a fairly prominent feature. johnny, your review takes me back to my own visit in December and the strange feeling of let-down during Eagle. The cartoon aside, I thought the band and vocals didn't sit as well together as they should. Maybe this would be the song the band performs, and let the Bjornbot perform DMYK. |
|
